Old Sydney Town heritage listed by National Trust
Catherine Stubbs, Central Coast Express Advocate
July 8, 2019 11:25am
The saga of Old Sydney Town has taken a surprising new twist after it was revealed that the long defunct heritage theme park site has been listed by the National Trust.
National Trust (NSW) conservation director Graham Quint confirmed the listing this month and said it was “in recognition of the living museum’s cultural significance and historic interpretation of Colonial history prior to the arrival of Governor Macquarie”.
Old Sydney Town was renown for its depictions of colonial life.
“It was highly regarded by families and provided a fantastic site for education and particularly popular at the time of Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations in 1988,” Mr Quint said.
Mr Quint added The National Trust (NSW) Register lists places that were cultural components of the natural or cultural environment of Australia, that have aesthetic, historic, architectural, archaeological, scientific or social significance or other special value for future generations, as well as for the present community.
National Trust conservation director, Graham Quin said the Old Sydney Town site was rare and unique. Picture: Justin Sanson
“Old Sydney Town is rare and unique in its portrayal of Sydney and its environs as they existed at a time when the tiny town was still a strict convict settlement, struggling to survive,” he said.
“Its genesis was based on a small but intensive body of interest that was brought to life in the historical research of scholars including the Old Sydney Town founder Frank Fox.”
Mr Quint said Central Coast Council had been notified of the listing.
People queuedg up to see visit Old Sydney Town beforein closed on January 27, 2003. Picture: Elenor Tedenborg
The listing may come as a surprise to the new owners of the Old Sydney Town site who bought it from French hotel tycoon Richard Chieu in 2018 for $20 million.
Just eight weeks ago the group, calling itself World Culture Tourism Village, unveiled new plans for the 120 hectare site including resurrecting parts of Old Sydney Town and building a global tourism village and leisure precinct.
The plans also included building community indoor and outdoor spaces, a boutique retail shopping village, a food and bar precinct, water activities, hotels, exhibition spaces, retail spaces and residential development.
Old windmill at Old Sydney Town.
How the National Trust listing will impact on those plans is uncertain.
Graham Quint said listing on the National Trust Register did not have “legal force”.
“It is however, recognised as an authoritative statement of historical, architectural importance or other value of a building, site, item, or area, and by listing such items on its register, the National Trust hopes to advise the public of the value of Australia’s national heritage,” Mr Quint said.
Old Sydney Town waterfront area with potters hut and bottle kiln at right. Picture: @switchy3 / Mitchell Hubbard
“The National Trust does not advocate rigid and unnecessarily restrictive development controls with regard to listed items or places.
“However, it recommends that their significance as part of the national, state or local heritage should be conserved through controls that allow, where necessary, for new and compatible development and associated works, all of which respect the character of the place or item through enhancement rather than conflict.”
One of the dwellings in Old Sydney Town in a state of disrepair.
Central Coast Mayor Jane Smith said she was unsure if council had received official notification of heritage listing.
“But I recognise the memories that many Central Coast residents will have of Old Sydney Town and welcome any recognition of its significance,” Cr Smith said.
“I would expect that these factors will need to be taken into consideration with any proposal for the future of the site.”
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